Bicycle Diaries
30 years riding, 15 years writing
Mud everywhere
Been raining for the last few days.
Today’s ride proved rather dicey, with mud around every bend. Had to take it somewhat easy, especially while crossing the creeks. The only good part is that the new gravel is now nicely packed down, just need to wait for the Sun to make a reappearance.
MTB: distance 15.08 miles, average speed 13.3 mph.
Gravel everywhere
Everywhere I road today, it was on fresh ground.
The slick flatness of the main trail has given way to new loose dirt and gravel. Not a huge speed difference for those with mountain bike tires but a bit of a scary ride for the road bikes that make their way to the greenway.
MTB: distance 12.55 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
A lot more gravel
Seems like the city got a good price on gravel.
Today, the trail behind the soccer fields is being given new life. I’m hoping that the No Bikes sign doesn’t make a reappearance, in light of the new wider trail that’s being laid down. All we need is a nice rain storm to help pack the fresh dirt, or else it’s a couple of weeks of slow going.
MTB: distance 15.79 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
More gravel and dirt
The loop that goes out from the lake towards Independence Blvd. has had a new layer of gravel and dirt laid on it. Made for real slow going on my first lap, so I adjusted the path for the remainder of the ride.
Surprisingly, the No Bikes sign was taken down from the trail that runs behind the lake along the soccer fields. Never quite understood why we couldn’t bike there, the only time when it’s dangerous for pedestrians is on Sunday when the soccer fields are running games.
Congrats to Astana on the team time trial win.
MTB: distance 17.60 miles, average speed 13.8 mph.
Nice day for a celebration
Happy July 4th!
Great morning for a ride, nice and cool, slight western breeze at my back on the return ride from the lake.
MTB: distance 13.38 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Cooling breeze
The excruciating heat from last week has moved on, in it’s place are cooler temps and a breeze that puts you to sleep on a lazy afternoon in the backyard.
I’m waiting to really push myself, get the average speed up to 15 or more, but I don’t feel ready yet, need to get on the bike more often. I’ve been walking on the days that I don’t ride to keep the legs fit.
MTB: distance 13.35 miles, average speed 14.0 mph.
Watch out for that grader
The rains washed out some trails.
The city was out there this morning laying down new dirt. The heavy rains we had caused some erosion behind the racquet club and the uphill entrance to Boyce park. I had to alter my route to avoid having to play chicken with a huge grader that took up the width of the trail.
MTB: distance 18.76 miles, average speed 13.6 mph.
Carmel Road
Whenever I visit my son in Pineville, I drive down Carmel.
There is usually a bike rider on this nicely paved road and I’ve always wanted to give it a ride. This morning, I wanted to go take a dip in the community pool, so I suited up, packed a backpack and headed out on the road. With the new tires, I was keeping a nice 20+ mph pace down Carmel. Now I know why so many people ride on this road.
MTB: distance 8.75 miles, average speed 13.4 mph.
Hill work
Started off with some hill work around the neighborhood, wanted to see how fast I could go downhill with the new tires. Clocked over 30 mph before I had to slow for speed bumps, didn’t want to go flying on wet pavement.
After a few miles of hills, headed into the McAlpine and chased some riders around. There are riders everyday but seldom do I get the chance to draft anybody, even though getting dirt in your face isn’t much fun.
MTB: distance 18.09 miles, average speed 12.9 mph.
14 mph avg speed
The new tires are paying off big time.
With the trails dry and packed down, keeping a steady pace above 15 mph was rather easy. Of course on a Sunday, you have to slow for people, kids and dogs, which yields an average speed in the 14 range.
MTB: distance 19.23 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Charlotte, NC
Spent 10 years in Charlotte, a block away from an entrance to the McAlpine Creek Greenway.
Switched to a mountain bike from the road bikes I was accustomed to riding for 15 years.
The time spent on these trails was most appreciated.
Trek Fuel 70
